Maritime Gloucester

Maritime Gloucester–the Best Place on the Harbor to Explore the Historic Fishing Port‚ Past, Present and Future! Throughout the site, visitors experience Gloucester’s working waterfront and marine environment. Heading out to the pier along Schooner Way a series of engaging kiosks depict stories of the local environment, the historic wharf buildings, and Gloucester’s fishing industry. Visitors discover native fish species in the touch-tank and native habitat aquarium. Want to get out on the water? Set sail from Maritime Gloucester aboard the Schooner Ardelle for a narrated harbor tour. Built and operated by National Heritage Fellow, Captain Harold Burnham, the Ardelle is an authentic, indigenous traditionally built, Cape Ann vessel. Opening Summer 2014, visitors will explore the new interactive fisheries exhibit that will delve into the compelling issues facing today’s fishing industry. The galleries also house many artifacts from the waterfront industries of the early 1900s along with an interactive exhibit exploring the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Throughout the summer, Maritime Gloucester holds many programs for children and families from drop-in mornings to weeklong marine education youth programs. Plan on spending Labor Day weekend at Maritime Gloucester for the 35th Annual Schooner Festival when over 20 schooners are expected for the races, sails, and dockside tours.